Seek First To Understand, Then To Be Understood

This chapter of this book has really taught me to listen more carefully. I often space out when i am being talked to, especially for extremely long periods of time. If i am not spacing out i am usually pretend listening, which is not good either. Occasionally i word listen. I hear every word that is said to me but i do not truly hear them. Even more rarely do i genuinely listen. I scarcely pay attention to the body language and meaning behind the words that are said.
After reading this chapter i have learned that i have first seek to understand people first to be understood. If i want people to take the time out to listen to what I have to say, then i should be willing to take time out to listen to what they have to say.
I have been trying to listen more genuinely lately. I personally think that i have done a lot better in listening to people. I now listen not only with my ears but with my eyes and heart as well.

7 Habits-Mission Statement

MY MISSION STATEMENT

• love-God, myself, family, friends, others
• Always be respectful!
• Put others before myself!
• Never give up! "If at first you don't succeed, try and try again."
• "Be what you want to be, not what others want to see."
• Make smart choices! "The choices you make today affect the outcome of tomorrow so choose carefully because you can never go back to yesterday."
• Always be forgiving! "I don't forgive people because I am weak; I forgive people because i am strong enough to know that people make mistakes."
• Don't be afraid to step out of my comfort zone! "Don't let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game."

This idea, the mission statement, was not my idea. It was given to me by Sean Covey, the author of 7 Habits. I give Sean Covey credit for showing me that writing everything that I plan to stay loyal to down is a great way to keep my loyalty because I can pull out my mission statement anytime that I feel the need to.